How does a liberal, blue-state governor take on the unappealing task of slashing the budget? By shifting a lot of the pressure to the federal government. In revising California’s budget down to $203 billion Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom charted a plan to fill a huge deficit by tying many cuts to additional federal aid. If […]
cuts
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Schools, Health Face Deep Cuts in California’s $203 Billion Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom revised California’s budget down to $203 billion Thursday as the coronavirus pandemic batters the state with record job losses and shortfalls. In charting out a plan to fill a huge deficit, the Democratic governor strategically tied much of the cuts to public health, public safety and public schools to additional federal stimulus […]
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What Next for California Cities? Deficits, Bailouts and Long Recoveries
Cities have been ground zero in California’s coronavirus response — with many initiating shelter-in-place orders, organizing emergency housing for homeless people and supporting health and essential workers. But even before restrictions get lifted, mayors, managers and city councils are being tested in a new way: pandemic-induced budget deficits. Already, unemployment is projected to be higher than […]
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HSU Faces $20 Million Deficit; CR’s Situation Dire, Too
A joint press release this afternoon sounds the alarm bells that both it and Humboldt State University face “immense budget” deficits at least exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficult decisions apparently lie ahead, including staff reductions. According to the press release, HSU was already facing deficit of more than $5 million due to already declining […]
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Slush Fund or Healthy Reserves?
Both the California State University system and Humboldt State University have sharply disputed a June 20 report from the California State Auditor’s Office, which charged that the CSU system is sitting on an undisclosed $1.5 billion budget surplus, which included more than $62 million from HSU. The bombshell report and subsequent pushback have left lawmakers […]